Carlo Ancelotti is ready to face Chelsea in the first quarter-final match of the Champions League: "Tomorrow's match is not decisive. But it can give us the advantage to better manage the second game - said the coach of Real Madrid at the conference -. We are excited, we want another magical night at the Bernabéu." Real Madrid and Chelsea certainly have stories carried over from previous precedents, but this will be a different match. A match with many memories, especially for the two technicians Ancelotti and Lampard, once on the same side of the field.
"They have a level team, but now they are not having fun. Maybe this motivation of theirs tomorrow can push them to give everything. I am sad for their moment. Because in the two years I was there, I had a great time, I have great memories. I am a Chelsea fan. If I come back? No, I hope Lampard does a good job with them. He was a great footballer, he has a lot of international experience and he can do very well as a coach," Ancelotti added.
Why not repeat as a coach the soccer 'miracle' achieved in 2012 as a soccer player? Eleven years on, wonders Frankie Lampard, who replaced the sacked Graham Potter on the Chelsea bench. A situation that reminds him of his playing days and Roberto Di Matteo became the new Blues manager in March.
The Italian replaced the Portuguese Andre' Villas Boas. With it came successes against Napoli and Barcelona (in the semi-finals) in the Champions League. And finally, the incredible penalty shootout victory in the Munich final, where Bayern lost even though they were playing at home. So why not hope that, starting with the quarter-final doubleheader against reigning champions Real Madrid (also Barça, at the time), the miracle will be repeated?
"There is a lot to do, but you never know - were the words of Lampard at the vigil -. I remember we parked the team bus at Camp Nou. We told each other that we were going to fight for our lives. We stayed strong and the achievement was fulfilled".